So there's a new Mac mini and iPhone 4 preorders got off to a muffled bang. …

Share this story

AT&T's servers are reportedly still smoking from the iPhone preorder meltdown. Apple managed to keep things interesting this last week by dropping a surprise Mac mini update on us, and we offered a detailed look at how to develop Safari 5 extensions as well as the tech behind the iPhone 4's camera.

Copland 2010 revisited: Apple's language and API future: How future-proof is Apple's development platform? In 2005, Cocoa and Objective-C looked like the weakest links in Apple's developer story, with the potential to lead the company into a Copland-like crisis in five years. Well, here we are in 2010. How is Apple doing? Crisis averted, or merely delayed?

Surprise Mac mini update: unibody case, HDMI, 320M graphics: A new Mac mini design snuck up on us while we were all focused on the iPhone 4. The machine now sports a slim unibody enclosure as well as improved graphics performance. There's now even an easy-access door on the bottom where users can upgrade RAM themselves—no putty knife required!

Would-be upgraders thwarted by iPhone 4 preorder problems: The sheer volume of iPhone 4 preorders brought AT&T and Apple Store servers to a near standstill, causing potential customers endless frustration. There may have been another customer data breach as well, while some users have told us the $18 upgrade fee is being waived.

Apple, AT&T apologize for massive iPhone 4 preorder meltdown: In a related story, both Apple and AT&T have issued statements acknowledging the iPhone 4 preorder fiasco. AT&T claimed preorders came in at 10 times the volume of the 3GS, while Apple apologized to users who gave up on their orders in frustration.

Kanex XD review: your 27" iMac now plays nice with your PS3: The Kanex XD allows you to use your 27" iMac system as a monitor for your external gaming systems and Blu-ray players. It's a simple product with a high price tag, but for people trying to cut down on the amount of displays in their home, this will quickly become a must-have product. The gotcha? Resolution is locked down at 720p.

Sizing up the iPhone 4 for shutterbugs: The iPhone 4 brings a variety of improvements to the camera hardware that will suddenly be with you everywhere you go. Ars takes a look at some of the tech and gives you a photographer's perspective on the improvements.

Getting started with developing Safari 5 extensions: One of Safari 5's biggest features is a new system for users to install "Secure Extensions" written completely in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. If you've wanted to learn more about what makes Safari's extensions tick, or try your hand at writing your own, we've got all you need to know.

Have a great weekend, everyone, and don't forget to get your beauty rest for the iPhone 4 launch day!

Share this story

Jacqui Cheng
Jacqui is an Editor at Large at Ars Technica, where she has spent the last eight years writing about Apple culture, gadgets, social networking, privacy, and more. Emailjacqui@arstechnica.com//Twitter@eJacqui